Career Opportunities and Scope for an FEA Engineer

If you want to get into a career path that is challenging enough and interesting, you should consider a career in Finite Element Analysis (FEA).

The most challenging aspect of being an analyst is gaining confidence in your models and results. But with enough experience, you will learn how to handle all the objections better.

How Do I Become a FEA Engineer?

To get hired for FEA analyst jobs, you need to decide in which branch of mechanical engineering you are interested in working in- fluids, structures, electromagnetics etc. You need to decide whether you want to solve problems using FEA software or do you want to develop FEA software.

The basic difference between the two is that FEA institutes and consultancies hire people that are experts in FEA software usage. On the other hand, FEA faculties and R&D of companies like ANSYS develop FEA software. The earning potential of FEA software developers is much higher than FEA software users.

If you want to become a FEA software user, getting a bachelors or master's degree in a relevant subject is enough. However, if your career choice is becoming a FEA software developer, you need knowledge of advanced mathematics especially Physics, numerical methods, mechanics and other related subjects. You can also take a specialized course called

Computational Mechanics. This course revolves around the development of ODE and PDE solvers in different domains of science and engineering.

What Are the Responsibilities of a FEA Engineer?

• You need to analyze thermal and thermo-fluids problems in low and high temperature range and participate in finite element modelling.

• You need to conduct analysis and modelling of finite elements in multi-physics and electromagnetic domains.

• Perform modeling of mechanisms for force analysis, kinematics and dynamics.

• Head engineering programs that involve new product designs and modifications to fulfil client requirements using FEA & CAD.

• You need to be involved in Finite Element Analysis and modelling in the structural domain responding to non linear and linear problems.

• Accelerating product development by deploying additional CAE modeling processes and strategic planning.

• Outsource FEA support if local resources cannot meet demand.

• Provide structural support and verify and design groups based on a given geometry model.

• Prepare the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model by translating the actual problem and choosing the best solution by interpreting the results of the analysis.

• Ensuring project accuracy by reviewing the analysis results of projects.

• Giving design suggestions by interpreting analysis results.

• Using lab testing results to interpret analysis results.

• Reducing certification costs and limiting required testing by investigating opportunities with FEA analysis.

• Providing suggestions for weight reduction in existing programs.

• Gathering evidence for FAA use of FEA simulation results as certification tools.

How Can We Switch Careers from a CAD Engineer to a FEA Simulation Engineer?

The industry has a high requirement of Finite Element Analysis Experts right now. FEA engineering is aided by a computer. CAE helps in analyzing the real-world application of a design. Automotive companies are dependent on FEA to develop products that can meet the stringent regulatory requirements.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) has several applications such as creating models for construction sites or building cars. The job of a CAD designer is to monitor the design of products and improve the productivity of the company by executing their own CAD system.

What is the Application of FEA in CAD?

The fields of CAD and FEA intersect at several points. Using CAD involves drawing the design. FEA involves converting that design into finite elements like small triangles and rectangles to analyze an object.

The engineer then determines how a complex object behaves by combining and plotting all possible outcomes. Every element is analyzed for certain property thresholds like stress-strain, thermal properties, dynamics etc.

Requirements for an FEA Engineer

If you want to apply for a FEA analysis job, you need to fulfill these basic requirements:

• Strong concept in strength of materials, Finite Element Methods, applied mechanics and engineering design.

• Bachelors and /or PG Degree in mechanical engineering.

• In-depth understanding of FEA tools like Siemens NX or Similar FEA package.

• Expertise in using Microsoft office applications.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

What are the Other Complementary Skills I Should Build as a FEA Engineer?

The other relevant skills you should acquire to get hired for Finite Elements Analysis jobs are:

• Understanding of basic CAD functions.

• Experience with Linear and Non-Linear Static Analysis, using comparable commercially available FEA software for fatigue / durability analysis.

Basic Salary Expectation of an FEA Engineer

The average starting Salary for an FEA Engineer in India is around ₹2.4 Lakhs per year (₹20.0k per month). With 3-5 years of experience, a FEA engineer can earn upto Rs 10 lakh per year (₹83.3k per month).

Finite Element Analysis is a wide domain. The first step in building a career and getting a Finite Element Analysis job is to learn the theory behind it. Once you understand the basic theory and train in the usage of FEA tools, it is all about flexibility and adapting to different situations. Gaining professional experience in the field of FEA will help you explore several career options. You can either apply for FEA jobs or even take up freelancing FEA projects from platforms like upwork.